FOR A GOOD CAUSE – Wendy’s in Secaucus raised $2,000 for The Anita Kaufmann Foundation on Tuesday, April 9 for a three hour event. In the back row are: Kevin Woodside and Bart Oates . In the front row are Lee Magnes, Donald Cieciuch in the white t-shirt and Miss NJ National US 2012 Marie Ventrone with the sash and crown. (Refer to brief below.)

The Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center will be closed for a staff meeting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, according to library director Jenifer May. The library will re-open at 1 p.m. and remain open until its normal closing time of 9 p.m.

“The library closing is necessary so that all staff can be present to discuss problems and/or questions associated with the new system recently implemented by the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), to which our library belongs,” said May. “This system permits us to interact with over 70 libraries and affords our patrons the ability to access materials from within the consortium. Because of the many hours that the library is open and the number of staff, full and part-time, needed to accommodate those hours, it’s impossible to hold a staff meeting for all employees without closing. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause patrons.”

United Way hosts Spring Fair and Tent Sale

United Way of Hudson County’s (UWHC) Spring Fair and Tent Sale which is sponsored by Provident Bank will include free food and refreshments throughout the day along with fun activities for children such as a bounce house with a meet-and greet with “McGruff the Crime Dog,” as well as a wide array of cartoon characters.

There will also be a fire engine on site.

Adults can enjoy browsing a wide selection of new and gently-used merchandise and furniture available for cash purchase in the sale tent and store. Items for sale include rugs, glassware, household appliances, electronics, toys, baby gear and more. All clothing items on sale will be $1 or less. In addition, furniture and house ware products will be marked down 50 percent from everyday low prices.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the United Way Quality Resale Store located 79 Metro Way in Secaucus. Other event supporters include: Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, the Secaucus Town Council. Hartz, Secaucus Emergency Fund and Elon University Alumni Association. Regular store hours are every Thursday to Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. UWHC operates resale stores in West New York and Secaucus. Proceeds from the sale of gently-used furniture, household goods and clothing at these locations, which are open to the public, support homeless services and other innovative programs in the northern New Jersey region.

For more information about the UWHC visit www.unitedwayhudson.org or call (201) 434-2625 at ext. 251.

Secaucus Community Ball

The third annual Secaucus Community Ball will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the La Quinta Inn located at 350 Lighting Way in Secaucus. The ball will be in celebration of former Mayor Paul Amico. Tickets are $50 which include dinner, dancing, entertainment, raffle prizes and 50/50’s. The tickets are available at Secaucus Town Hall and Secaucus Senior Center.

For more information call Lisa Snedeker at (201) 921-7678.

Two incumbents lose but security question and budget pass in school election

Incumbent school trustees Sal Manente and Mary Ann Weiner, along with former trustee Tom Troyer, were soundly defeated in the Secaucus school board election that featured six candidates for three seats on Tuesday. Incumbent John M. Stowe led an informal ticket that included John Gerbasio and Kathy O’Connell to a decisive victory, winning by nearly a three to one margin in the machine vote.

The two public questions about funding additional security for schools and funding the school budget won by a two to one margin.

Wendy’s raised money for The Anita Kaufmann Foundation

Wendy’s Franchisees Lee Magnes and Kevin Woodside hosted a fundraiser at their Wendy’s restaurant in Secaucus which is located at 16 Meadowlands Parkway on Tuesday, April 9. During the three-hour event, a portion of all sales were donated to The Anita Kaufmann Foundation. The fundraiser was coordinated with the Cieciuch family, local residents with a 10-year-old son diagnosed with epilepsy. Two-thousand dollars were raised to benefit the charity. Former NY Giants player Bart Oates was on hand to greet the guests along with Miss NJ National US 2012 Marie Ventrone.

The Cieciuch’s son Donald, who serves as a spokesperson for The Anita Kaufmann Foundation, is also featured on the organization’s posters. Donald is an advocate for those living with epilepsy, particularly youngsters recently diagnosed. Members of the Cieciuch family are staunch supporters of the foundation and its global sponsorship of “Purple Day”, held annually to bring awareness to epilepsy.

To learn more about epilepsy visit: www.akfus.org or www.purpleday.org.

NJMC events

“Birding for Beginners (Field guides)” will be held on Sunday, April 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. This free two-hour Birding for Beginners class starts with a short session on field guides at the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, followed by a nature walk in the park. The event is run by the Bergen County Audubon Society and hosted by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. Check meadowblog.net for last-0minute updates. You will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC?BCAS events throughout the year. To RSVP, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or call (201) 230-4983.

“Family Science Night: Astronomical Wonders” for ages 6 through 12 will take place on Wednesday, April 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. Join the MEC staff for a program that is “out of this world.” Guests will enter the Star Lab planetarium to view a program on the spring night sky and create star charts and luminaria to take home. Admission is $5 and $4 for MEC members and will be held at the Meadowlands Environment Center at Two DeKorte Park Plaza in Lyndhurst.

For more information call (201) 460-8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.